News + Events

Jill Hayes, One Call Concepts, Inc.'s (OCC) Database Administrator for Gopher State One Call (GSOC), works on the utility notification side of the one call process and updates GSOC’s base notification maps. She obtains and maintains membership information, which consists of contact information, where to send locate requests, billing information, etc., and enters this information into the GSOC database.

She is a contact for the facility operators who use Locator Ticket Management (LTM), which is an application that customers use to receive tickets, quickly assign them to locators, efficiently track progress of assigned work, view area locations on satellite imagery, optimize routes, update positive response information, archive tickets, and run reports. She also enjoys working directly with the facility operators to create and update their notification areas. Changes to notification areas can be made through paper maps, digital data, or using IMAP, an online database management application. Users can view, add, modify, and delete notification polygons with this tool. She conducts IMAP training sessions in person or via a webinar.

Jill began her career in the one call industry in 2003 as a front-line Customer Service Representative at the GSOC notification center. Shortly after, she was promoted to a Lead Operator, then promoted again to a Supervisor position. As a Supervisor, one area that she enjoyed was being able to problem solve. It was then that she began learning about the mapping software and assisting customers with any issues they were experiencing. When OCC took over the GSOC contract in 2016, an opportunity presented itself, and she was promoted to the Database Administrator.

Jill is an asset to GSOC and helps our users better understand the online tools that we offer. Feel free to contact Jill by emailing imap@gopherstateonecall.org or by calling 877-848-7472 to ask any questions you may have or to schedule a training!

In 2017, the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) partnered with Cox Utility Services to fund an 811 Hot Air Balloon to travel across the country during the busy excavating season to promote the underground utility damage prevention message to all potential excavators. The balloon kicked off its journey in Sacramento, California on April 1st, the first day of national safe digging month, with a stop in Richmond, Virginia on 811 Day (August 11th), amongst other cities.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Gopher State One Call (GSOC) receiving the first locate request in Minnesota. A lot of change, innovation, and stakeholder cooperation has occurred over these past 30 years. It is my pleasure to provide you with the GSOC results during 2017 and what GSOC is planning for 2018. First, thank you to all underground safety stakeholders for partnering in the protection of the underground infrastructure and the citizens of Minnesota. Second, 2017 was another year of increased GSOC ticket volume with 818,217 ticket requests (the third largest in the history of GSOC), and third, GSOC significantly increased investment in public awareness efforts. For 2018, GSOC is forecasting a 5.0% increase in ticket volume and will continue strong public awareness efforts.

The next Gopher State One Call Board Meeting is Monday, April 9, 2018 at Breezy Point Resort, Breezy Point, MN. The Open Session of the Board Meeting Starts at 10:00 am. If you plan to attend, please contact Barb Cederberg GSOC COO at 651-681-7303 or at Barbara.cederberg@gopherstateonecall.org.

Private underground facilities, also called customer-owned facilities, may be found anywhere, including your excavation site. Chapter 216D requires operators of lines buried in the public right-of-way to register with Gopher State One Call (GSOC), so these lines will be marked as the result of a locate request. Privately-owned facilities, like utility lines that serve heaters for hot tubs, gas barbecues, electric security lighting, invisible dog fences, farm taps, buried sprinklers systems, and many others, are not marked when locators respond to your GSOC request, since they are the owner’s responsibility. Let's take a look at some common types of private underground facilities.